Unlike AV, SOLO includes pass-through for all connections; a much needed and appreciated addition. Pass-through allows you to easily connect the Slingbox to any video device regardless of the number of outputs it has. Simply slide the Slingbox between the display and your source and it will be like the Slingbox isn’t even there. Like the pass-through for the PRO, I noticed no visible difference in image quality on the display when using the pass-through feature.

The Mysterious USB Jack

Continuing our tour of the back panel, a new addition to SOLO is the inclusion of a USB port, an interesting move for Sling Media. The USB connection is only described as “reserved for future use,” and sure enough, it does nothing in its current state. Well… scratch that. In my random attempts at plugging in various USB devices (if at the very least to see if it would do something), I was able to verify that on my pre-production model, the USB jack does indeed receive power. For now, it looks like I can use it to charge my Jawbone Bluetooth headset or my cell phone…at least it’s something.

I’m not entirely sure what the USB is going to be used for, though random theories are emerging. The most common idea is that someday you’ll be able to plug in a USB storage device to stream other videos or photos to your SlingPlayer. I’m not quite sure I see the value in that, considering laptop viewers could simply plug the USB stick into their laptops… and there are better ways of showing videos and photos on Smartphones. However, if the ability to record did make a Slingbox debut, you could easily add DVR like functionalities by utilizing a USB storage device. Wouldn’t be a replacement for a good DVR, but would be something nice for folks with regular cable boxes or tuners.

What I would really like to see is a compatible Wi-Fi adapter that would plug in via USB and let you connect Slingbox to wireless network instead of having to use a Wi-Fi to Ethernet bridge or Ethernet over powerline device like the SlingLink. Some folks don’t have much luck with powerline, but a USB Wi-Fi adapter would probably be a much more affordable alternative than an Ethernet bridge. For fun, I stuck an old Netgear 802.11b Wi-Fi adapter into it to see what would happen. Alas, nothing, but that wasn’t a surprise.

If my Sling Media Wi-Fi on a stick solution never comes true, another thing I’d like to see is an NTSC/ATSC USB tuner add-on. Something like that could be a great way to add tuner functionality (if needed) without having to pick up a separate Slingbox. Plus, the addition of ATSC support would be a welcome feature to those reliant on off-air reception to start slinging with good quality.

What do you think the USB jack could be used for?

Continued on page 4 >>

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